2025 Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY)
Breakthrough Award Honorees
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Matt Greenawalt
Teaching Fellow Alumnus
Kamryn Davis
Scholar Alumna
View Kamryn's remarks about her Breakthrough experience
Matt Greenawalt
Matt started his teaching career during the summer of 2003 as a Summerbridge (now Breakthrough) Teaching Fellow at Germantown Friends. At the start of the summer, during orientation, he shared he had no intention to teach, but by the end, he discovered a passion. After graduating from Williams College, he began teaching in the South Bronx through the New York City Teaching Fellows program. As part of that program, Matt obtained a Master's in Teaching through the City College of New York. Matt overhauled his school’s math program and created an accelerated Algebra math program for all students in the 8th grade. Throughout his years, he maintained a near 100% pass rate for his students, with the majority scoring in the mastery range.
While teaching at M.S. 118 in the Bronx, Matt took over the school’s chess program. He helped teach classes and led a fundraising effort to send the team to multiple Chess Nationals competitions. The teams finished in the top 5 nationally, and one student became a national champion. In 2010, Matt was awarded the New York City Education Update Outstanding Educator of the Year.
Matt taught for twelve years in New York City, taking on various leadership roles. He served as his school’s union chapter leader, worked for the New York City Department of Education as a master teacher, and led citywide sessions for math teachers to roll out a more rigorous and constructivist mathematics curriculum. In 2018, Matt received his Master’s in Math Leadership from Bank Street School of Education and became an assistant principal at a middle and high school in Manhattan.
In 2021, Matt returned to Philadelphia and the math classroom at Germantown Friends. For the past three summers, he and Ceora Wearing-Moore have served as Breakthrough’s Deans of Faculty, supporting the program's expansion in developing more robust curricula and enhancing the Teaching Fellow orientation program to be more responsive and structured to the needs of Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia. Matt is passionate about strengthening teacher pedagogy, helping teachers build stronger connections with their students, and developing equitable classroom protocols to support and challenge all learners. Matt believes that Breakthrough serves as a model in preparing the next generation of transformative public school educators.
Kamryn Davis
Kamryn Davis is a passionate youth advocate and organizer committed to empowering young people through education, voting, and civic engagement. A Philadelphia native, Kamryn's journey with Breakthrough began in 2013 when she enrolled as a 6th grader at Overbrook Educational Center. Breakthrough provided critical academic support, particularly in math, during a time when her school was without a teacher for the subject. Kamryn returned for two subsequent summers, where she not only enhanced her academic skills but also built lifelong friendships and developed a deep passion for civic engagement.
After participating in Breakthrough's summer program, Kamryn received invaluable support during her high school search and college application process. She attended Central High School, where she thrived academically and served as a leader in her community. Kamryn went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from West Chester University, graduating summa cum laude in 2023. Throughout college, she was active in social justice initiatives, creating viral TikTok content and organizing events to raise awareness on topics like voter education and food insecurity.
Kamryn’s commitment to Breakthrough’s mission is grounded in the impact it had on her life. She credits Breakthrough for not only encouraging her academic excellence but also for nurturing her confidence and leadership skills. As Programs Director for PA Youth Vote, Kamryn continues to inspire and mobilize young voices, ensuring they are equipped to advocate for themselves and their communities. She remains deeply committed to its mission of providing educational access and fostering leadership among underserved youth.